Unum research highlights key challenges for new parents

Company Release - 5/8/2019 9:07 AM ET

New resource helps guide moms and dads through the parental leave
process

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
During a time of the year when the nation celebrates mothers and
fathers, new research from employee benefits leader Unum
(NYSE: UNM) spotlights some of the struggles parents can face at work.
From navigating benefits to developing a leave plan and returning to
work, juggling new parent duties with job responsibilities can be
challenging.

In March 2019, Unum conducted research among 500 new mothers and fathers
who had or adopted a child in the previous five years. Some of the key
findings include:

49% of new moms and 36% of new dads did not meet with their manager or
HR department to discuss their leave benefits; 40% of those who did
spent 30 minutes or less

Some of the top struggles of new parents included leaving their child
(61%), not wanting to return to work but needing the income (52%),
logistics of childcare (42%) and a reduced focus or concentration at
work (37%)

47% of new mothers said breastfeeding at work was one of their biggest
challenges and only 17% of parents said their employer offers
lactation rooms

60% of moms and 40% of dads struggled with depression or anxiety after
becoming new parents

“Becoming a new parent is a special time and most employers offer a
range of valuable financial protection benefits like short term
disability insurance and paid family leave,” said Angel Bennett,
Director, Leave Management Center, Unum. “This research highlights the
importance of having an open dialogue with HR, developing a leave and
return-to-work plan, and discussing all the benefits their company
offers.”

To help new parents navigate this often-confusing process, Unum has
developed Bringing Up Baby: A Guide to Workplace Parental Leave
Resources, which contains basic tips, timing and conversation
starters to engage with managers and HR representatives. Additionally,
it spotlights key findings from research and contains links to
additional resources. This guide, along with other employee and HR
resources including Unum’s recent Mental Health Report and Caregiving
Report, can be found at unum.com/workwell.

ABOUT UNUM GROUP

Unum
Group is a leading provider of financial protection benefits in the
United States and the United Kingdom and the leading provider of
disability income protection in the world. Its businesses are Unum US,
Colonial Life, Unum UK, and Unum Poland. Unum’s portfolio includes
disability, life, accident and critical illness, dental and vision
coverage, which help protect millions of working people and their
families in the event of an illness or injury. Unum also provides
stop-loss coverage to help self-insured employers protect against
unanticipated medical costs. The company reported revenues of $11.6
billion in 2018, and provided $7.2 billion in benefits.

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